It’s Time to Brew A Compost Tea

How many gardeners out there are avid “composters” as well? I know that I am, and I spend quite a bit of time each week tending to my compost pile. You might be surprised at what all-natural fertilizers are hanging out in your garbage bin!

While you might not be a stranger to the art of composting, you might be new to brewing a compost tea. I know, it sounds absolutely disgusting, but this brew can give your garden a MUCH needed infusion of vitamins and minerals. This is my recipe for the perfect compost tea!

At this point you might be asking “what’s the point of brewing a compost tea when I can just add the compost directly to my soil?” Well, did you know that spraying compost tea on the leaves of your plants is actually proven to repel and treat fungal diseases? But that isn’t all! Compost tea speeds up the break-down of harmful toxins, and makes more nutrients readily available to your garden plants.

**This tea should be used within three days after brewing. After three days, the tea is no longer safe to use on plants.

Step 1: Attach tubing to the end of your pump. Once attached, attach the tubing to the end of your gang valve. Plug bubblers into the empty ends of the gang valve.

Step 2: Fill your bucket halfway full of compost, placing the bubblers on the bottom of the bucket, submerged in compost. Fill the bucket full of chlorine-free water. Leave a few inches of space at the top of the bucket.

Step 3: Over the course of two days, head outside to stir your compost mixture often. Making sure each time that the bubblers are spaced evenly apart.

Step 4: The compost tea will be ready to use in about 2-3 days time. Pouring the tea into a separate bucket, strain the compost tea through an old pillowcase to remove any chunks. Use the tea immediately.